A sickout by teachers at Belmopan Baptist High School has brought serious concerns over school leadership to the forefront. Minister of Education Francis Fonseca responded to the situation after it was reported that over half the teaching staff refused to show up for work today.
Fonseca stated that the ministry is aware of the issues unfolding at the school. “We are aware of the issues and the concerns that have been raised,” Fonseca said, and added that the ministry is actively addressing the matter with the school’s management and board.
The protest, which involved nine out of seventeen teachers, stems from long-standing grievances with the school’s administration. Teachers have expressed frustration over ‘constant disrespect,’ unlawful terminations, and intimidation.
One teacher told News 5 that the leadership under the current chairman is the cause of unresolved issues. The teachers allege unfair dismissals and staff manipulation have also surfaced.
They have demanded immediate changes to restore respect and fairness at the school.
In a legal exchange dated today, the Attorney General of Belize responded to a pre-action letter sent by Anand Ramlogan SC, representing three individuals—Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey.
The letter sought clarification on whether the Prime Minister would announce the date for the upcoming general election during Parliament’s next sitting, scheduled for this Friday.
The claimants argue that holding elections with the outdated boundaries would be unconstitutional, as they violate Section 90’s requirement for equal voter distribution across districts.
The Attorney General’s office confirmed that the Prime Minister will not be announcing the election date at that session, nor will he advise the Governor General to dissolve Parliament on that date. This clarification addresses mounting public speculation regarding the election timeline.
The letter also outlined that“Courtenay Coye LLP is authorised to accept service of all communications and filings with respect to this matter on behalf of the Attorney General and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.” Meanwhile, “Marine Parade Chambers LLP is authorised to accept service of all communications and filings with respect to this matter on behalf of the Elections and Boundaries Commission.”
Teachers at Belmopan Baptist High School are voicing strong dissatisfaction with its current administration, which has led to over half of its teaching staff staging a sickout today. Nine out of seventeen teachers refused to show up for work in protest against what they describe as ‘constant disrespect,’ unlawful terminations, and intimidation from the school leadership.
One teacher stated that the root of the problem is the chairman, claiming that it is under his leadership that changes have not happened and the issues persist. Teachers allege that the current administration mirrors the problems of the previous administrator, including unfair dismissals and manipulation of staff.
They also claim that their concerns are dismissed, with one teacher revealing that a letter from the chairman threatened job security if complaints continued.
The ongoing issues have caused staff division. Teachers have pointed to several incidents, including the wrongful termination of a 74-year-old employee. The protest is a direct response to these unresolved issues, and teachers are demanding immediate changes to restore respect and fairness at the school.
A group of Belizean voters has initiated legal action against the government over its failure to implement redistricting measures before the next general election. Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey, represented by their legal counsel, are seeking constitutional redress over what they claim is a breach of their democratic rights under Section 90 of the Constitution.
The dispute arises from a 2019 consent order, in which the government and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) acknowledged the need to redefine electoral district boundaries to ensure fairness and equality in representation. The EBC submitted its proposals in July 2023, which were incorporated into the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024, tabled in the National Assembly in May 2024. However, despite its majority in Parliament, the government has not debated or passed the bill.
With political campaign activity increasing and the possibility of an imminent election announcement, the claimants argue that holding elections under the existing electoral boundaries would be illegal and unconstitutional. They contend that the outdated boundaries violate Section 90’s requirement that each division should have as equal a number of voters as possible.
Legal representatives for the claimants warn that proceeding with elections without implementing the redistricting changes could lead to a constitutional crisis, potentially invalidating the election results. The failure to update electoral boundaries, they argue, would constitute deliberate disenfranchisement and undermine the legitimacy of Belize’s democratic process.
The legal team has given the government until February 5, 2025, to confirm whether it intends to call elections without first passing the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024. If the government fails to respond or refuses to commit to the necessary reforms, the claimants will file for constitutional redress and seek an urgent court order to block the election from proceeding under the current boundaries.
A special sitting of Parliament is scheduled for February 7, 2025.
In a resolution that puts a three-year legal battle to rest, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition, will apologise to Prime Minister John Briceno following a defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit stemmed from comments made by Barrow on Channel 7’s Uncut in March 2022.
The Prime Minister, through his legal team at Courtenay Coye law firm, filed the defamation claim against Barrow. After lengthy negotiations, both parties reached an agreement, and the lawsuit was officially dismissed by the court.
The court order, handed down by Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke, states that Barrow did not intend to defame Briceno. The order further stipulates that Barrow must issue an apology for any “embarrassment or hurt” caused by his words. In return, once the apology is accepted, the matter will be dismissed, with both sides bearing their own legal costs.
Kezia Young, the mother of an 8-year-old little girl who we have reported about previously, her name is Jenica Jenkins. She took to Facebook to share her experience and thoughts on this whole situation.
In an emotional Facebook video, Kezia Young, mother of 8-year-old Jenica Jenkins, expressed her outrage over the tragic death of a 6-year-old autistic boy from Stella Maris school. Yesterday, News 5 tracked little Gabriel’s steps as he was seen running down Belize City’s busy street alone.
In her video, Young criticised not only the police but the entire community for failing to intervene when the boy was clearly in distress.
She said that despite the presence of many people—including cyclists, drivers, and people walking—not a single adult stepped in to guide the child.
“As a society, blame unu self as a society—as a community— as a country, we failed that family, we failed that child,” Young said. “So much people mih dih out deh, and watch this this lee bwai dih run middle street. If unu mih even care as a society, unu mih wa realise that he was in a Stella Maris uniform.” A school dedicated for “differently abled kids,” she added.
She also lambasted the police for their lack of action when an off-duty police officer reportedly called 911 to report that Gabriel was seen alone in the streets.”
Speaking from her own experience as a mother of young Jenica, who was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and is also autistic, she said, “He might have been scared, more than anything; he might have been scared dih run dih street ina traffic by himself, and no one single adult stopped their care, no wah cyclist park pan dih side, nobody even try address the situation and simply take the little boy back to school.”
She pointed out the sad reality that she says has become a norm over time, seeing children walk the streets alone or walking to school alone. “Unu so comfortable sending kids to school by themselves, so comfortable allowing kids to go to the store by themselves,” she said.
On Thursday, February 6, all Belizeans are invited to come together to honour the memory of 6-year-old Gabriel Orellano by participating in the “Wear Blue for Gabriel” movement.
The campaign calls for wearing blue, sharing photos with the hashtag #BlueforGabriel, and advocating for stronger school safety measures and autism awareness following the tragic drowning of young Gabriel on Monday.
Garbiel, who was an autistic and mute student from Stella Maris in Belize City, managed to leave the campus unnoticed on Monday afternoon.
He wandered toward the seaside, where he tragically drowned. Gabriel’s father, Vidal Orellano, criticised the school’s handling of the situation, stating, “All of them, they shut up and stay quiet,” when he sought answers. Vidal also questioned the lack of security and how his son was able to leave the school grounds unnoticed.
Reports suggest that Gabriel’s body was discovered less than 30 minutes after an off-duty police officer noticed him alone on Wilson Street and contacted authorities.
The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) says it stands in solidarity with Stella Maris School. The union issued a press release that starts off by extending deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of 6-year-old Gabriel Pablo Orellana, the young student who drowned on Monday off the coast of Belize City.
“We are certain that this is a tremendous blow to the institution and ask the public to join with us in lifting them up during this most difficult time.”
While the circumstances surrounding this tragedy are still being investigated, the BNTU stands firmly with the teachers of Stella Maris School and assures them of our unwavering support. “We will do all that is within our power to assist in ensuring they receive the counselling that is so vital for each of them to begin the recovery process.”
The B.N.T.U. says that this incident does not define Stella Maris School. “It has, for many years, provided stellar educational services to one of our most vulnerable Belizean populations and will continue to do so, despite the dark cloud which now hangs over it.”
Gabriel’s father, Vidal Orellano, was preparing to go to sea for work when he was informed of the incident. Expecting a minor injury, he was devastated to learn that his son had drowned. Describing Gabriel as playful and full of life, Orellano questioned how no one intervened when they saw a young child walking alone.
Gabriel attended the only school in Belize for children with special needs, raising concerns about how he was able to leave unnoticed. The school has remained silent as the investigation continues, but Orellano is scheduled to meet with officials today for an update.
Tracy Panton wants to hold mediation with Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Her legal team, Arnold & Co., is urging mediation in the ongoing leadership dispute within the United Democratic Party (UDP). The firm proposed two potential mediators—Deborah Swift and Consuelo Godfrey—suggesting this path could prevent further costly litigation.
In a letter, the firm stated, “We believe that mediation would be beneficial to the parties and alleviate the need for any further protracted litigation with costs attendant to same.” It added, “We had filed a Notice of Selection of Mediator in which we identified either Deborah Swift or Consuelo Godfrey as possible mediators from the list of court-connected mediators. Perhaps you may wish to consider them or suggest a mediator(s) for our consideration.”
This follows Panton’s faction attempting to take over the UDP’s headquarters in October 2024. In November 2024, the court ruled in favour of Barrow’s team, restoring headquarters control. As a trial scheduled for March 31, 2025, looms, both sides are considering mediation.
This request comes as an announcement of this year’s election date is expected.
Last night, we shared the heartbreaking news of a six-year-old autistic boy from Stella Maris School whose death has deeply affected the community. Initial reports indicate that Gabriel Orellano left the school compound unnoticed just before noon. His lifeless body was discovered shortly after 1 p.m. near the Tropic Air hangar along the Belize City coast, and it appears he drowned. So, how did Gabriel go from being at school to losing his life at the hangar? Today, his uncle, a former Coast Guard Officer, teamed up with News Five to find answers. With the help of local businesses, they obtained surveillance footage that traces Gabriel’s path to the hangar. These videos provide crucial answers for the family as they try to come to terms with their loss. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
News Five has obtained surveillance footage tracing the final steps of six-year-old Gabriel Orellano, an autistic student, before he was tragically found lifeless near the municipal airport hangar. Gabriel wandered off from the Stella Maris School compound just before noon. News Five, along with Gabriel’s uncle, visited several places to gather surveillance footage and piece together his last hour. Our first stop was Chon Sann on Kelly Street, where a camera captured Gabriel running past the restaurant at 12:46 p.m., wearing his green and khaki uniform. Moments later, another camera at the back of Korea Electronics caught him darting across an intersection, narrowly avoiding a motorcycle.
Further footage from Moe’s Pizza on Barrack Road showed a man on a bicycle trying to grab Gabriel, but he managed to slip away and continued running towards Princess Margaret Drive. The man on the bicycle, seemingly concerned, turned around but didn’t pursue further. Gabriel kept running towards Digi Park, where a camera from Ochuna Restaurant captured him still on the move, now with a woman on a bicycle trailing behind him. Just minutes later, Midtown’s surveillance footage along the same road showed Gabriel heading in the same direction at 1 p.m. Sadly, his lifeless body was found by the seaside shortly after. Initial investigations suggest he entered the sea and likely drowned. Tonight, Gabriel’s family is left with more questions than answers, especially wondering how he managed to leave the secured school compound undetected. We spoke with his father off camera.
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
Voice of: Vidal Orellano, Father of Deceased
“I dah mih wah fisherman and I was waiting to go to sea. My brother is the one that came to me and told me something happened ot my son and we have to go now. Buit I didn’t expect that to happen. I think maybe ih mussy get hurt or have a broke hand or something. We went to the school and nobody wanted to give us answer, we the ask weh part my baby deh. Nobody answer, the principal nuh answer. All they told us was that the baby deh dah Tropic Air, hangar. When I reach deh I see my mom, teacher police, everybody the deh. When I get close I see my baby on the ground. Ih mih hard, because that was my only son. Everywhere he go with me.”
Paul Lopez
“I see you post a video of him playing, was he playful and jovial?”
Gabriel Orellano
Voice of: Vidal Orellano
“He go with me everywhere, shop, town, no matter what nobody mih seh bout ah, ih like give trouble, nuh sit down, ih nuh matter, I carry ah with mih.”
News Five understands that after exiting the Stella Maris School compound, the child was seen inside Pallotti High School’s compound located just across the street. Screenshots of a text message conversation between two students at the high school revealed that while on the campus Orellano bit one of the students, before he was taken down to the lobby and locked him in so that he did not run away. The account says that he began to cry but the students left him there because they didn’t want him to run away. An adult reportedly intervened and instructed the students to let him out. He then ran away. The student that Orellano bit pursued him.
According to the conversation, “he was all the way by A&R at this time”. According to the conversation, when the students asked the security guard where the child went, the guard told the students, “The little boy is not his problem”. A classroom group chat from Pallotti Highschool reveals a similar storyline. One student said, “I saw a little boy in the lobby when I was at school”. Another student wrote, “He was from Stella. He could not talk. We were trying to talk to him be he didn’t respond n he started to cry, and we were instructed to let him go.” A third student wrote, “Sigh they should have made him wait”. A teacher in the group instructed the students to calm down and let the investigation do its work. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
